Mutism - Maddie

Mutism

- usually occurs in childhood
- person can’t speak in certain situations where you are expected to speak, but can in others (when at home, comfortable, etc)
- not due to lack of knowledge of how to speak or a communication disorder (stuttering)
- Believed that it has to do with social anxiety (social phobia) or just anxiety about anything
- Treatment: behavior modification therapy, antidepressants
- Can speak and understand, but don’t speak
- Lasts for 1 month or more
- Effects daily life
- Some have history of speech problems
- Extreme shyness → may be passed on genetically
- Individual or family counseling can help
- Psychotherapy
- To force, trick, punish person to speak does not help

Connection to Book
- Prior

http://neurology.health-cares.net/mutism.php
http://www.psychnet-uk.com/dsm_iv/selective_mutism.htm